Tension Released

TheMessage

It was 6:07 a.m when Samantha phone dinged. She was halfway out the door, Kaleb still wrestling with his left shoe, her iced coffee slashing in a to go cup. The sky outside was still a sleepy gray blue and her nerves were already fraying. Another day. Another battle with exhaustion and half functioning confidence. Then the screen lit up.

Jordan: Good morning beautiful, I need to tell you something before work.

Her heart immediately dropped into her stomach. She stared at the text like it was a threat. Like it might explode in her hand if she opened it. What now? Did I do something? Did I say something? Is willow pregnant? She shook her head and shoved the phone in her pocket. Not right now she whispered to herself, grabbing Kaleb's backpack. Not before coffee. But as she buckled her seatbelt and backed out of the driveway the phone buzzed again. She glanced down. Three words. The dreaded three words...

Jordan: I Love You.

She pulled over. Right there in front of the neighbors trash can, heart pounding, and mouth dry, she stared at the glowing screen. What the hell am I supposed to do with that? She didn't cry. She didn't smile. She just.... froze. Jordan. The man who fixed things without asking for anything . The man who looked at her like she wasn't a storm, but a sky worth watching. I love you. No warm up. No dramatic moment under the stars. Just three words in a cold blue bubble before the sun was fully up. She didn't know what possessed her to do it, but she typed back. Thanks. I like you too. And hit send. They didn't talk for four days. They didn't text. Didn't nod. Barley looked in each others direction. Every time she passed him on the floor, her pulse jumped. Every time she heard his voice on the distance she held her breath. It wasn't anger or regret. It wasn't fear. Because he meant it. And she almost did to.

Jordan: I'm sorry. I shouldn't have dumped all that on you. I just... needed you to know. Im here when you're ready. No Pressure. She stared at it for a full ten minutes before tucking her phone away and blinking back tears. He's really gonna wait... No one had ever waited for her before. When Lisa walked into the building on Monday morning, wearing a high ponytail and steel- toed boots, Sam practically burst into tears right there in the lobby. Girls don't cry Lisa laughed, pulling her into a hug. You're gonna make me cry. I can't believe you're here Sam whispered. Squeezing her friend like a lifeline. They had been best friends for about ten years , through breakups, job changes, births, betrayals, and the late night panic attacks. Lisa had seen Sam at lowest and never once made her feel small. Now she was here in the same building. Breathing the same recycled factory air. Over lunch Sam spilled everything. Lisa listened without interrupting, arms crossed, expression unreadable. And then she smiled. A real one. That man is good for you, she said nodding like it was fact. I can't believe tell you already . The way he looks at you, "Yeah?" That ain't temporary. Sam bit her lip. I don't know if I can do this.You can Lisa said. You just don't don't believe it yet. What about Kaleb? Lisa leaned in, you think Kaleb doesn't need to see what real love looks like? What a safe man look life? You think it's just about you? That landed. Hard. Sam looked away. Her throat thickened. Follow your heart Sam, Lisa said softly. Just this once you deserve that. And for the first time in a long time Samantha considered what it would feel like..... to stop running.